International Travel

Tue, 13 Mar, 2018Danielle McCarthy

10 eye-wateringly beautiful churches in Italy

1. The Duomo of Milan, Milan The third-largest church in the world, Milan’s spectacular Duomo took six centuries to build. With 135 marble spires, 135 gargoyles, 3,400 statues and an inside that’s just as impressive as the outside, the Duomo is an impressive piece of architecture.

2. St. Mark’s Basilica, Venice One of the jewels in Venice’s impressive crown, St. Mark’s Basilica is the awe-inspiring focal point of St. Mark’s Square. While your gaze might be drawn towards the ceiling, don’t forget to look at the stunning geometric pattern on the marble floor.

3. The Basilica of St. Francis, Assisi It might not get as much attention as some of Italy’s other churches, but this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the highlight for many who are willing to make the trek.

4. Orvieto Cathedral, Orvieto Five separate artists worked on the cathedral’s design over a 200-year period and the result is pure magic, with some of the world’s most incredible columns, friezes and Gothic frescos.

5. The Duomo of Siena, Siena Beautiful, ambitious and completely original, the Duomo of Siena is characterised by the extravagant zebra-stripe bands of marble in the interior. Walk inside and you’ll see the works of Michelangelo, Pisano, Donatello, and Pinturicchio.

6. The Duomo of Florence, Florence There’s no shortage of reasons to visit Florence, but your trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the city’s towering Duomo, it’s most iconic landmark. The neo-gothic façade with pink, white and green patterns is breathtaking, even from a distance.

7. St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome One of the world’s largest, most beautiful churches in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica dominates the skyline of Rome and is one of the most lavish additions to the list.

8. Basilica of St. Anthony, Padua With a history that dates back to 1310, this spectacular basilica is a combination of different styles with an interior built up from floors covered in checkerboard marble.

9. St. Andrew’s Cathedral, AmalfiThe Amalfi coast is breathtaking in and of itself, but St. Andrew’s Cathedral it’s just as impressive with an Arab-Sicilian façade, medieval bronze doors and an elaborate bell tower.

10. Cathedral of St. Agatha, Catania The Cathedral of St. Agatha destroyed and rebuilt numerous times after earthquakes and eruptions from the nearby Mount Etna, but it remains a stunning site to visit.

Italy is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and it’s easy to see why. Whether you’re skimming along the Mediterranean coastline or exploring the hills of Tuscany, Italy has no shortage of highlights for travellers of all description. But one thing Italy might to better than anywhere else in the world (not including cuisine), is churches.

As the home of Catholicism, Italy is home to some of the world’s grandest cathedrals, from St. Peter’s Basilica to Milan’s Duomo. We’ve created a list of 10 eye-wateringly beautiful churches you can’t miss if you’re exploring Italy.